They might not have the shape-shifting power of cauliflower, the widespread appeal of broccoli, or the allure of, say, baby bok choy, but bell peppers have quite a lot going for them, nevertheless. Botanically classified as fruits, but generally treated like vegetables, these big, sweet peppers are flavorful, versatile and visually appealing to boot. Here, a roundup of the very best bell pepper recipes for every season and occasion.
30 Bell Pepper Recipes to Add to Your Regular Rotation
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Published Dec 30, 2022
Two Peas and their Pod
1. Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, vegetarian
This flavor bomb, courtesy of Coterie member Maria Lichty, features juicy portobello mushrooms as the vessel for a vegetarian medley of bell peppers, beans, cheese and spicy enchilada sauce.
Skinny Ms.
2. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Mexican Rice
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, <500 calories, high fiber
Throw some ground meat into the mix or leave the recipe as is for a vegetarian meal—either way, the whole family is sure to be wild about the heavily seasoned beans and rice combo that these bad boys are filled with.
Two Sleevers
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low carbs, keto-friendly
Creamy pesto chicken gets topped with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes in this colorful and oh-so comforting chicken bake that’s just right for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
The Recipe Critic
4. Sizzling Steak Fajita Roll Ups
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
You can wrap a juicy piece of meat around pretty much anything and it will be delicious. Try it out with tender flank steak and fajita-seasoned bell peppers, and you’ll see what we mean.
Tidbits
5. Instant Pot Caribbean Chicken Salad With Sweet Orange Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Bell pepper sings alongside mango, mandarin and avocado in the creamy, tangy and spicy jerk chicken salad bowl. Fair warning: Just one bite will make your palate light up like a Christmas tree.
Confessions of a Fit Foodie
6. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: air fryer recipe, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Cute mini bell peppers + creamy buffalo chicken dip = party appetizer perfection.
Strength and Sunshine
7. Vegan Boardwalk Italian Sausage and Peppers Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten-free, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegan
It’s hard to go wrong with sausage, peppers and onions stuffed into a hoagie…but a vegan adaptation that actually works? Now, that’s something to write home about.
Sidewalk Shoes
8. Mahi Mahi with Olive and Bell Pepper Couscous
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, Mediterranean diet-friendly
Israeli couscous, fresh oregano, kalamata olives and diced peppers come together to make a colorful and flavorful bed for meaty and mild Mahi Mahi in this elegant, Mediterranean-inspired meal.
The Gracious Pantry
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, <500 calories
This easy, garden-fresh skillet dinner looks and tastes like summer, and sweet red bell peppers are the star of the show (though any color pepper will work in a pinch).
The Domestic Dietician
10. Roasted Peppers with Garlic and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Sometimes less is more. Case in point: This classy side dish of roasted bell peppers, spiked with a simple blend of garlic, olives and fresh herbs.
Cook at Home Mom
11. Easy Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: Whole30, Paleo, gluten-free
Tender shredded chicken, pico de gallo, cauliflower rice, avocado….Sorry, tortillas, but bell peppers are going to be taking your place this Taco Tuesday.
Berry Maple
12. Creamy Beef Bell Pepper Pasta
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: High protein, crowd-pleaser
The slightly bitter, grassy flavor of green bell pepper is the ideal counterpoint to the creamy alfredo-like sauce and hearty beef in this crowd-pleasing weeknight pasta recipe.
Whitney Bond
14. One Pot Cajun Pasta with Sausage and Peppers
- Time Commitment: 29 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pot, high protein
This one-pot pasta gets a major boost from a light tomato sauce, chunks of spicy Cajun sausage and the fresh flavor of (you guessed it) green bell peppers. Best of all, it’s as easy to make as it is to eat.
This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
This late night favorite features red bell peppers commingling with seriously spicy Thai peppers. The end result is a noodle dish that’s best for folks who can handle more than a little heat.
Girl Gone Gourmet
16. Black Bean Chili
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
This punchy black bean chili owes its well-rounded flavor to a combination of thick-cut bacon and green bell pepper. Make it once and you’ll want to cozy up to it all winter long.
Rock Recipes
17. Dijon Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
A true innovator decided to add bell peppers and golden raisins to coleslaw, and let’s just say the plain carrot-and-cabbage preparation has seemed pretty snoozy ever since.
Fork to Spoon
18. Air Fryer Chicken, Broccoli, and Bell Pepper
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, air fryer recipe
Forget about the wok, friends: It turns out your air fryer can produce a swoon-worthy stir-fry in half the time (and with none of the stirring). Neat, right?
Skinny Ms.
19. Asian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: dairy-free, keto friendly, low carbs
Put down that takeout menu and whip up a batch of these stuffed peppers for a guilt-free appetizer that boasts loads of Asian flavor without all the carbs and grease.
Noble Pig
20. Baby Bell Peppers with Feta and Mint
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe
You might not be able to hop a plane to Santorini tonight, but we just found the next best thing (and it will even play nicely with that chicken you were planning on roasting).
The Endless Meal
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten-free, paleo, vegan
Bell pepper bowls are to chili what sourdough bowls are to New England Clam Chowder (i.e., a totally awesome upgrade).
Posh Journal
22. Easy Potato Hash with Bell Pepper and Onion
- Time Commitment: 27 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <500 calories
Presenting a bell pepper recipe that you’ll want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bonus points if you top it with a sunny side-up egg.
Real and Vibrant
23. Mango Salsa
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Serve it with fish, add it to a rice bowl or just grab a bag of tortilla chips and go to town. There’s no wrong way to eat this jalapeño-spiked, mango and bell pepper salsa.
Show Me the Yummy
24. Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Time Commitment: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
A deconstructed stuffed pepper you can eat with a spoon? Count us in.
The Endless Meal
25. Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Quinoa Casserole
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: gluten-free, vegetarian, high protein
Feta cheese, artichokes, capers, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives…this Mediterranean quinoa casserole recipe calls for everything under the (Tuscan) sun, and we’re not mad about it.
Happy Healthy Mama
26. Easy Breakfast Egg Casserole
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
This casserole twist on a classic bell pepper scramble is just begging to be served at a brunch party.
Upstate Ramblings
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients
Fresh seafood, sweet corn and bell peppers, bold Caribbean seasoning and practically zero clean-up. This one checks all the boxes.
Fork and Beans
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten-free, kid-friendly
In case you missed it, bell peppers were born to be stuffed. And this comforting Italian filling is a real crowd-pleaser.
Two Sleevers
29. Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly
Bell peppers are a Philly cheesesteak essential—and thanks to this ingenious air fryer hack, the beloved melt has never been easier to make.
Confessions of a Fit Foodie
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: Low-carb, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
Finally, a low carb alternative to everyone’s favorite indulgence. Whether it’s game day, party time, or movie night—just swap bell peppers in for tortilla chips and watch the crowd go wild.
